Conor Benn will not compete at welterweight again, according to his trainer Tony Sims, who framed the move as a final attempt to secure a world title shot after Benn’s second-round stoppage against Ryan Garcia.
Benn stepped up to 147lbs to challenge for the WBC welterweight championship but was knocked down and retired by the referee in the second round. Sims did not mince words regarding the outcome.
“There’s no excuses,” Sims told Sky Sports. “It was tough doing the weight, of course it was. He was never going to lie about that.”
Despite the heavy defeat, Sims praised Benn’s preparation, noting that sparring sessions in the weeks prior went smoothly and that the fighter was sharp. However, he admitted that in elite-level boxing, a single mistake can be fatal.
“He just got caught with a shot. In world boxing, that’s what happens,” Sims said. He confirmed that the Garcia bout marks the end of Benn’s time at 147lbs. “Without a shadow of a doubt. He done well making the weight but it wasn’t easy,” he added, emphasizing that the financial stakes and prestige of the opportunity were too significant to pass up.
Sims also expressed some frustration with the timing of the stoppage, suggesting it may have come slightly early. He noted that Benn responded well to the initial blow and attempted to clinch to survive, but acknowledged the quality of the punch that ended the fight.
“I think the stoppage was a bit premature but the actual shot that nailed him was a great shot,” Sims said. “It is what it is, you’re not going to make any excuses for that.”
The defeat could reshape Benn’s future trajectory, potentially opening the door for a trilogy bout with Chris Eubank Jr. The two fighters, sons of historic rivals, have split their previous two middleweight meetings. Sims believes the rivalry will always generate interest regardless of the outcome.
“That fight’s always going to be there… Because of the names together the fight will always be there,” Sims said. However, he indicated that Benn requires immediate downtime. Describing the fighter as mentally and physically burnt out, Sims suggested that despite being financially secure, Benn needs to step away from the sport entirely for a period before considering his next move.
Good for Sims to prioritize Benn’s mental health. The sport can wait; his well-being comes first these days.
Garcia proved he’s the real deal here. Benn just looked out of his depth against elite pressure at 147.
Is an Eubank trilogy really the best next step? I’d prefer to see him fight someone actually credible at middleweight.
I actually thought the stoppage was a bit harsh. He looked like he was recovering before the ref stepped in.
Finally a reality check for Benn. The welterweight move was always a gamble that didn’t pay off.